An unreleased report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), obtained by the Associated Press, revealed that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
As of August 17, Iran possesses 5,751.8 kilograms of enriched uranium, including 164.7 kilograms enriched to 60%, marking a 22.6-kilogram increase since May 2024.
The report confirmed that Iran has completed the installation of eight cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow and ten out of eighteen planned cascades of IR-2m centrifuges at Natanz.
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While the Fordow cascades remain non-operational, the installation of new cascades at Natanz is ongoing, with Iran continuing to enhance its uranium enrichment capacity.
Unspecified diplomats indicated that Iran is actively installing new centrifuges at both Natanz and Fordow, boosting their ability to enrich uranium, according to the Institute For War.
Senior Iranian officials have begun normalizing discussions about Iran’s potential to acquire nuclear weapons, further heightening international concerns.
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Rising Tensions in Southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights
Hezbollah has conducted at least ten attacks into northern Israel since August 28, escalating tensions in southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
The IDF Home Front Command announced that schools in several northern Israel and Golan Heights communities will resume classes on September 1, with restrictions on class sizes and requirements to reach shelters. Education Minister Yoav Kisch previously declared that schools in evacuated northern communities would operate remotely in the fall.
Axis of Resistance: Iran and Allied Groups’ Regional Activities
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Turkmen People’s Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on August 29 to discuss constructing a gas pipeline between Iran and Turkmenistan, part of the International North-South Transit Corridor.
In July 2024, Iran and Turkmenistan signed an agreement for Iranian companies to build a 125-kilometer gas pipeline to enhance Turkmenistan’s gas transmission capacity.
Additionally, Pezeshkian and Berdymukhamedov oversaw the signing of four cooperation agreements on August 28.
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